Wisdom teeth adventures

Last Monday morning, 9/27, I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed. I had three simple extractions and one impacted tooth removal. I had general anesthesia, so I don't remember a thing. So no big deal because everyone has their wisdom teeth out, right? Sure, except for a 28 year old, it can become a big deal. Most people have their wisdom teeth out young, between 18 and 25. A young mouth heal much better than an old mouth like mine. By your late 20s, most of your bones have stopped growing at all, and experiencing major change can cause a lot of problems.

I was fine Monday and Tuesday thanks to my pain medicine. But by Wednesday, I was back at the surgeon's. My upper right socket started forming very large and very disturbing blood clots Tuesday evening. The surgeon had to put a stitch in the socket to stop it. And I was back on Friday with a dry socket. Dry sockets aren't fun. From Wednesday until Friday night, I was taking 2 advil every 3 hours just to keep functioning. I felt a constant, intense pain that went from my ear to my adam's apple. The surgeon applied a specialized gauze
that helped alleviate the pain and allow the dry socket to heal.

It took another restless, painful night, but I'm all better now. Of course, I now I'm craving a taco... damn crunchy shells!

WebMd info on wisdom teeth